Napoli and Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen and Rayo Vallecano’s Álvaro García have been identified as the players with the most explosive accelerations in world football, according to CIES Football Observatory report,
While sprinters like Sha’Carri Richardson and Usain Bolt dominate the track, Osimhen and García stand out on the football field.
Victor Osimhen’s explosive acceleration
The report analyzed data from 28 leagues globally, revealing that Victor Osimhen exceeds expected acceleration levels by an impressive 1.93 high-intensity accelerations per 90 minutes. This remarkable burst of pace has been a key asset for Napoli in Serie A.

This ability helps him chase down defenders, forcing a mistake off them and creating goal-scoring opportunities for the team. It was instrumental in Nigeria’s first goal in the AFCON 2023 second round game against Cameroun, allowing him to setup Atalanta winger Ademola Lookman.

In LaLiga, Álvaro García leads the acceleration charts among wingers, surpassing expectations with 1.38 high-speed bursts per game based on Rayo’s playing style. His rapid acceleration from wide positions has posed a constant threat to opposition defenses throughout the season.
Other notable players in the acceleration elite include Sassuolo’s Armand Laurienté and Lazio’s Felipe Anderson among wide attackers, and PSV’s Guus Til in attacking midfield. Ghana’s Emmanuel Boateng and Watford’s Vakoun Isidore Bayo also feature prominently as center-forwards.